Captain Lou Albano dead at age 76

AWE file photoCaptain Lou Albano takes a break from signing autographs on tax deadline day at the Manor Road Post Office in 1997.STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Captain Lou Albano, the professional wrestler perhaps best known for being an integral part of the 1980s "Rock N Wrestling Connection," died this morning at age 76.

"[He was] one of the company's most popular and charismatic legends," the WWE said in a statement. "He will be greatly missed."

Albano starred as Cyndi Lauper's father in her video "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." That move kicked off the "Rock N Wrestling Connection" that helped make the then-WWF a household name in the 1980s.

Albano began his career as part of The Sicilians tag team with partner Tony Altamore. He later moved into managing, promoting the careers of wrestlers, including Andre the Giant, George "The Animal" Steele, Don Muraco, Ken Patera, The Wild Samoans and The Moondogs.

Albano also played Mario in "The Super Mario Bros. Super Show," a live-action/animated children's show.

He was a member of several wrestling Hall of Fames, including the WWE. He wrote "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Professional Wrestling" with Bert Sugar as well as his autobiography "Often Imitated, Never Duplicated."